by C Patterson

Created on: November 29, 2009   Last Updated: December 01, 2009

Moving a group to achieve is leadership. Leadership is not derived through a title, job classification, or assignment. Leadership cannot always be taught, granted, or inferred. Leadership is earned through the ability to communicate and influence a group toward a common goal. To be a successful business leader integrity is crucial for long term success. True leadership cannot exist without integrity.

Leadership, by historic standards, is not always positive when viewed by society today. History is filled with examples of leaders both good and bad who have changed or influenced the world during their time and after. As seen through today's eyes many of these leaders would lack our current definition of integrity yet they were able to move a group to achieve. This may seem somewhat paradoxical until you explore the concept and meaning of integrity.

Integrity as a concept means living by your beliefs. It doesn't distinguish what those beliefs are or should be. By applying this meaning to historic leaders and removing our current societal viewpoint integrity existed in those leaders who lived by their beliefs and contributed to their ability to move a group to achieve.

In business today integrity must be applied in light of our current beliefs. A leader must be able to build trust and move employees toward a shared vision through buy-in and belief in the group direction. Leadership is not being in a position that leads; it is the ability to lead from any position. Leadership is assessing the current needs and communicating in a way that moves a group toward achievement. In business most employees want to be part of the solution and contribute in a meaningful way toward the group goals. A leader builds an environment where everyone understands the playing field and feels comfortable bringing new ideas to light that contribute to the group goals as a whole. A leader pushes decision making down to the most relevant level and develops employees around them through reason and trust.

A leader must live by their beliefs and the beliefs must align with society and the group being led. In business, leadership requires trust and open communication throughout the organization. Ideas, efficiencies, better ways of doing business, new products and services all come from the efforts of the group. Leaders with integrity get the most from their people and help develop future leaders. Integrity drives the trust and open communication necessary to succeed in business and lays the foundation for true leadership.

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